It is an undisputed fact that Donald Trump is, by and large, the worst candidate the GOP could have nominated to face off against Hillary Clinton in the contest for President of the United States. With polls showing Trump losing to Clinton by several points (in some cases, double-digits), it’s not hard for some saddened Republicans to think, “what might have happened if we had nominated someone… ANYONE, other than Donald Trump?”
Now, it is easy to look at the list of 16 other candidates who sought the GOP nomination during this election cycle’s GOP primary, but that is too easy. Instead, let’s explore some GOP names who DIDN’T run this election cycle who would have could have beaten Hillary Clinton.
(Note: These candidates aren’t necessarily selected based on policy and principles, but solely their ability to have beaten Hillary Clinton in a general election match-up)
1. Gov. Mitt Romney
This one seems like a no-brainer. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, holds strong name recognition across the electorate at large. Not only would he be able to pull moderate and independent voters to his side, but would also rally those “#NeverTrump” Republicans who are boycotting this year’s GOP nominee.
Romney possesses the strong business acumen and charisma that would put him in prime position to topple Clinton in this shaky economic climate. Romney would not only be a safe choice, but a unifying choice.
2. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan
Another “no-brainer” pick here. Paul Ryan, who despite being the target of many conservatives for his more moderate positions, would be another strong candidate to take down Hillary Clinton. As Speaker of the House and the 2012 Vice Presidential nomineee, Ryan already has strong name recognition with both Republicans and Democrats alike.
Republicans would view him as a safe choice, who despite lacking strong conservative principles, would be a unifying figure that a strong majority of Republicans could rally around. Disaffected Democrats, on the other hand, would likely view Ryan as a candidate they could stomach for the next four years. Ryan would likely take several Democratic votes and would likely garner a majority of moderates and independents who cannot stand Hillary Clinton.
3. Gov. Nikki Haley
Haley has shot to GOP stardom since her victory in 2011 to become the 116th Governor of South Carolina. Haley, who is the first woman to serve as Governor of South Carolina, the youngest current governor in the United States at the age of 44, and the second Indian-American governor in the United States (after Bobby Jindal of Louisiana), has quickly become one of the leading voices within the Republican Party. Haley’s national recognition came when she delivered the Republican response to Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address and her subsequent endorsement of Marco Rubio in the GOP primary.
Haley represents the soft-establishment branch in the Republican Party, much to the same vein as Rubio, thus making her an easier pill to swallow for Democrats and independents/moderates to vote for. As a woman and an Indian-American, Haley would be able to attract a great deal of the woman and minority vote; demographics Clinton desperately would need. Also, Haley’s relative lack of national exposure would be a benefit for her, especially when considering the baggage Clinton possesses.
4. Sen. Tim Scott
Scott, a United States Senator who also hails from South Carolina, would be a strong candidate to compete against Clinton, as he would undoubtedly reach minority voters who cannot imagine voting for Clinton. Scott is the first black Republican elected to the United States Senate since the election of Edward Brooke in 1966, and the first black Senator of any party elected in the South since 1881 (four years after the end of Reconstruction). Scott is also the first African American to have been elected to both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
He would be an amazing asset to a GOP that has, for years, had a terrible public relations problem with the African-American community. Scott would potentially be able to recruit young African-American voters, as Scott famously gave a personal speech on the Senate floor about the “sadness and humiliation” of being targeted by police as an African-American man.
5. Sen. Joni Ernst
Ernst is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and the first female veteran, from any state, to serve in the United States Senate. Prior to her political career, Ernst Ernst served as logistics officer and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard. She also served as the commanding officer of the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Camp Dodge, which is the largest battalion in the Iowa Army National Guard. Ernst has served 23 years total between the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard, and spent 14 months in Kuwait between 2003–04 as a company commander during the Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ernst’s military service and her fiery brand of conservatism would make her a strong opponent to Clinton, and would likely unite the GOP and attract moderate and independent women voters. Ernst, like Haley, delivered the official Republican response to the State of the Union (in 2015).